ABSTRACT
The frequencies of micronuclei in cultured cytokinesis-blocked lymphocytes of an urban industrial population of 188 persons were determined. For the mean and SD, 16.0 +/- 7.3 per 1000 CB cells were obtained. A slight but definite age dependence--appr. 0.2/1000 increase per year on average--was indicated by thorough statistical analysis.
Subject(s)
Lymphocytes/ultrastructure , Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective , Micronucleus Tests , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aging/genetics , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The lymphocyte micronucleus assay was used to measure the average frequency of micronuclei in a population and thus assess genotoxic effects. Data from 174 persons give an average value of 16.4 +/- 7.3, and a slight age-dependence was observed. To detect combined environmental mutagen injuries the micronucleus assay was used to study the effects of metal compounds. Cadmium ions increased the micronucleus frequency linearly after incubation with whole blood in vitro with 10(6)-10(-3) M concentrations for 30 min. Similarly, a linear increase in micronucleus frequency was detected with 10(-3)-10(-1) M mercury ions. Concerning the biological effect of selenium, it was found that neither sodium selenite nor selenium dioxide induced increases at concentrations of 10(-7)-10(-6) M; 10(-5) M caused a slight increase; 10(-4) M, however, destroyed the cells. These results suggest that the human lymphocyte micronucleus test can be used to assess genotoxic injuries due to environmental effects in human lymphocytes.
Subject(s)
Lymphocytes/drug effects , Metals/toxicity , Micronucleus Tests , Cadmium/toxicity , Cells, Cultured , Female , Humans , Male , Mercury/toxicity , Selenium/toxicityABSTRACT
A method for the computerized automation of micronucleus scoring is presented. The task is to identify the cultured, cytokinesis-blocked peripheral lymphocytes (CB cells) and their micronuclei (MN). The main parts of the hardware are the video camera attached to the microscope, the IBM-compatible personal computer with the video digitizer card, and the computer-controlled stage movement unit. The computerized image processing is based on determination and interpretation of contour lines of the CB cells, nuclei, and MN. The BNCTEST image processing software has been developed up to the demonstration phase, and now it has been prepared for the testing period of image series on a large scale.
